DIRECTING THE DELAWARE HEALTH CARE COMMISSION TO ESTABLISH AN AD HOC TASK FORCE TO REVIEW THE UNIQUE HARDSHIPS ENCOUNTERED BY DELAWAREANS WITH DIABETES AND REPORT ON ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS.

WHEREAS diabetes is a serious disease affecting as many as 60,000 Delawareans; and

WHEREAS it has become known to the General Assembly that, if their disease is controlled and managed, diabetics can live healthy, productive lives, but that barriers exist to appropriate management of the disease, ranging from lack of education to economic hardships arising from the cost of disease management; and

WHEREAS it is more cost-effective to manage diabetes than to pay for the complications arising from the failure to do so, but there is still much to be learned about the exact nature and scope of these barriers in order to develop the most appropriate policies for overcoming them; and

WHEREAS the General Assembly desires that such an examination be undertaken under the direction of the Delaware Health Care Commission;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 139th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the Delaware Health Care Commission establish an Ad Hoc Task Force on Diabetes. The purpose of the Task Force shall be to fully analyze the scope of diabetes in the State of Delaware, identify barriers to disease management, and review options for access to treatment for those who lack such access.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ad Hoc Task Force shall complete its charge by gathering data and input from all affected parties, including those who have the disease, health and medical professionals with experience and knowledge about the disease, employers, health plans, and public officials;

The Task Force examination shall include, but not be limited to, two phases. Phase One shall encompass the following:

(1) Demographic characteristics of people with diabetes in Delaware, including estimates of the number who do not have access to adequate supplies for managing their condition, the reasons they lack such access, and estimated costs for expanding access.

(2) Information on community standards of treatment for diabetes management.

(3) Other barriers preventing diabetics from managing their disease, and the estimated costs of overcoming these barriers.

Phase Two shall entail exploring options for overcoming these barriers. Such review shall consider at least the following:

(1) The role of private health insurance;

(2) The role of education;

(3) The role of the State of Delaware; and

(4) The role of other public and private ventures.

The Ad Hoc Task Force on Diabetes shall review a full range of innovative solutions for overcoming the barriers identified in the first phase of the Task Force's work, including partnerships with the private sector. It shall consider and report on the public policy implications of each recommendation offered in its final report.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Ad Hoc Task Force shall be comprised of at least the following members;

(1) three representatives from the Delaware Chapter of the American Diabetes Association;

(2) one physician familiar with the treatment of diabetes;

(3) one diabetes educator;

(4) two representatives from the health insurance industry;

(5) two representatives of companies that purchase health insurance;

(6) two representatives from the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House;

(7) two representatives from the Delaware State Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore;

(8) two members of the Health Care Commission;

(9) the Secretary of Health & Social Services; and

(10) a representative from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

The Ad Hoc Task Force shall be co-chaired by one member of the House of Representatives and one member of the Senate appointed by the Chair of the Delaware Health Care Commission. The Chair of the Ad Hoc Task Force may invite other members to advise and consult with the Task Force as necessary.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission shall submit a report of its findings to the Governor and General Assembly no later than January 15, 1999.